Assessment Type 3: Examination (30%)

Students complete a 130‑minute external examination that is divided into two sections:

• Section 1: Essay
• Section 2: Sources analysis.

Section 1: Essay

Students complete a reasoned historical argument in the form of an essay based on the focus areas in the topic they have studied from ‘Modern Nations’.

Examination questions are designed to enable students to:

• demonstrate their understanding of the role of ideas, people, and events in history
• analyse ways in which the development of the modern world has been shaped by both internal and external forces and challenges.

Students choose one proposition from their chosen topic and write an essay discussing the extent to which they agree with the proposition.

Section 2: Sources Analysis 

Students use the skills of historical inquiry to evaluate the origin, reliability, usefulness, limitations, and contestable nature of sources. They analyse, interpret, and synthesise evidence from different types of sources to recognise and evaluate differing perspectives on and interpretations of the past.

The following specific features of the assessment design criteria for this subject may be assessed in the examination:

• understanding and exploration — UE1 and UE2
• application and evaluation — AE1, AE2, and AE3
• analysis — A1.